Selling photographs: How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and...

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and businesses, how do I contact and present my photographs for freelance photography? Is there a market out there that is great enough to market?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I belong to 2 photo clubs. They are always telling us via email about the various exhibits that we can submit photos to enter and get exposure. You can start your own web page and sell them through them. Look at Smugmug.com

Probably the fastest way to sell them is to buy bulk frames, mats and have a deal setup with a good printer so you can frame your work and sell them at your local flea market, art shows, swap meets, etc. You'll need to invest in a trailer or truck, a large EZ-up or two, some equipment to hang your work on etc. But I know a guy that did this and sold a lot of his work, but he wasn't making a living at it and he didn't become famous.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

orrie smith wrote:

How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and businesses, how do I contact and present my photographs for freelance photography? Is there a market out there that is great enough to market?

I think you need to ask yourself some questions.
Who do I want to sell to? local? regional? worldwide?
How much work do I want to do? printing? matting/framing?
How to divide my time, selling vs shooting?
How much do I have to invest?
Do I have any local venues? a helper at local venues?
Can I listen to hours of rejection at venues, that 's how it will feel as people look and leave!

EdJames81

bobmcculloch wrote:

I think you need to ask yourself some questions.
Who do I want to sell to? local? regional? worldwide?
How much work do I want to do? printing? matting/framing?
How to divide my time, selling vs shooting?
How much do I have to invest?
Do I have any local venues? a helper at local venues?
Can I listen to hours of rejection at venues, that 's how it will feel as people look and leave!

Sound advice this. You need to identify where you want to go before working out the best way to get there.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

orrie smith wrote:

How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and businesses, how do I contact and present my photographs for freelance photography? Is there a market out there that is great enough to market?

I reviewed all of the posts you have made on this site, but failed to spot one that represents your work. If you wish to sell your work, people need to see it.

Most of your posts seem to be searching for information about how to shoot and what equipment to use. I would venture to guess you need more photographic experience before asking how to obtain other peoples money for your work. I always based my photo income upon providing quality work and not just where to sell it.

You need to know what type of market you want to explore first. Once you establish that, you will be able to better plan where you will go. A photography business is much more than taking pics and people paying for them. It requires lots of work to be successful. It requires a map to the goal you are trying to get to. Without the map, lots of fuel will be spent wandering around.

Good luck with your endeavors.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

bobmcculloch wrote:

I think you need to ask yourself some questions.
Who do I want to sell to? local? regional? worldwide?
How much work do I want to do? printing? matting/framing?
How to divide my time, selling vs shooting?
How much do I have to invest?
Do I have any local venues? a helper at local venues?
Can I listen to hours of rejection at venues, that 's how it will feel as people look and leave!

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

orrie smith wrote:

How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and businesses, how do I contact and present my photographs for freelance photography? Is there a market out there that is great enough to market?

And you also need some kind of portfolio - digital and/or print.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

bobmcculloch wrote:

I think you need to ask yourself some questions.
Who do I want to sell to? local? regional? worldwide?
How much work do I want to do? printing? matting/framing?
How to divide my time, selling vs shooting?
How much do I have to invest?
Do I have any local venues? a helper at local venues?
Can I listen to hours of rejection at venues, that 's how it will feel as people look and leave!

Agree. First identify your market-- and prepare to spend more time marketing than taking photos.

For example: if you strive to do weddings, you'll need to prepare a portfolio and attend bridal shows, contact ministers, and reach out to florists, bakeries, event planners, etc. if you like youth sports you'll need to set up a way to order, order price sheets, business cards, and then reach out to little league parents/officials, soccer clubs, etc. At events like "Bridge Petal" ( a weekend registered event where streets are closed & participants bike the bridges), "Race for the Cure", etc. you'll need to publicize that you are covering the event and where your photos are available to order from

These are just two examples--but first you have to identify your niche.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

If you begin selling photographs make sure you have a local business license and a state sales tax permit. Fines can be pretty hefty if you don't have them.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

orrie smith wrote:

How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and businesses, how do I contact and present my photographs for freelance photography? Is there a market out there that is great enough to market?

If you use a website. Make sure you prevent right click downloads.

Leitz Loc: Solms

orrie smith wrote:

How do I introduce my photographs to sell them? Selling general photographs to the public, which venues should I use on the internet? Selling to magazines and businesses, how do I contact and present my photographs for freelance photography? Is there a market out there that is great enough to market?

If you have to ask such a question here, you are not ready!!

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Leitz wrote:

If you have to ask such a question here, you are not ready!!

How better to learn.

Care to venture out an explain why you think he is not ready

TheDman Loc: USA

dirtpusher wrote:

If you use a website. Make sure you prevent right click downloads.

People can just screenshot it.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

TheDman wrote:

People can just screenshot it.

Running it through paint degrades it. It looses pixels also.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Leitz wrote:

If you have to ask such a question here, you are not ready!!

I disagree, the OP MAY be a great photographer, and just not know how to market his work